News Release

Peter Quist2011-12-07
Helena, MT--Attack ads, incendiary fliers, promotional ads, robo-calls, and radio spots have become commonplace during election campaigns, usually paid for by groups operating independently from the candidates they are supporting. Sometimes the sponsors are clearly identified—and sometimes they are not.

A new report from the National Institute on Money in State Politics, Independent Spending in Connecticut, 2008–2010, reveals how independent political spending changed in Connecticut since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Citizens United v. FEC in January 2010. Prior to the ruling, Connecticut prohibited the use of corporate treasury funds for independent spending but permitted the use of union funds. In response to the ruling, the Connecticut General Assembly lifted the corporate ban during the 2010 elections.

Institute researchers identified top independent spenders and how much was spent on elections in Connecticut in 2008 and 2010. (An analysis of 2006 spending was not feasible because independent spenders were not readily identifiable at that time.) Reported independent spending totaled $814,104 in 2010 and $410,064 in 2008. However, since statewide offices were not up for election in 2008, it is difficult to make comparisons of the spending between the two elections.

Total independent spending in 2008 and 2010 was $1.2 million, nearly half of which was spent by just five independent spenders. The Connecticut State Council of Service Employees spent $181,404 in 2010, making them responsible for 22 percent of all independent spending that year and the biggest independent spender over the study period. The top five independent spenders in 2010 spent 34 times more money independently than they gave in direct contributions to candidates, while the top independent spenders in 2008 spent 55 times as much independently as they gave in contributions to candidates.

Unfortunately, most of the independent spending reports failed to clearly identify the target of the spending, although this information was required. This rendered impossible an analysis of the impact the independent spending had on the outcome of specific races.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan National Institute on Money in State Politics collects and analyzes campaign contribution information on state-level candidates, political party committees, and ballot committees. Its free, searchable database of contributions is online at FollowTheMoney.org.